Vehicle security system including fingerprint and eyeball part identification

• US 5,686,765 A
• Filed: 06/21/1996
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RFC Capital Holdings Inc.
• Original Assignee: Driver ID LLC
• Inventors: Washington, Valdemar L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/668,126
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1-10.6, 382/116, 382/117, 382/124, 180/287, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/825.3-825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.54, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 235/380, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/493, 364/423.098, 364/424.037, 364/424.045
• US Class Current: 307/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/23 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A system is provided for use with an automotive vehicle having a normally disabled ignition system. The system includes a reader, such as a fingerprint reader or retina reader, to identify the driver. The output from the reader is compared to corresponding physiological data stored in memory to determine if the driver is authorized to operate the vehicle. Optionally, a timer is employed to permit operation of the vehicle only during preset prescribed time periods.

Claims

1. For use with an automotive vehicle having a normally disabled ignition system, a system for selectively enabling said ignition system comprising:

means for reading a person'"'"'s preselect physiological identification member and for generating a physiological identification signal representative thereof,

memory means for storing physiological identification data representative of authorized drivers for the vehicle,

means for comparing said physiological identification signal with said stored physiological identification data in said memory means,

means for enabling the vehicle ignition system when said physiological identification signal corresponds to said stored physiological identification data,

a central station containing stored data representative of a plurality. of drivers'"'"' physiological identification data.

means in the vehicle responsive when said physiological identification signal does not correspond to said stored physiological identification data for transmitting a signal representative of the physiological identification signal to said central station.

means at said central station for receiving the physiological identification signal and for comparing the received signal with stored physiological identification data at the central station.

means responsive to said comparison at said central station for transmitting an output signal to said vehicle.

means at said vehicle for receiving said output signal from said central station and for enabling said ignition system in response thereto.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said comparing means comprises a microprocessor.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmitting means comprises a radio transmitter and said receiving means comprises a radio receiver.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising means for determining if operation of the vehicle corresponding to said physiological identification signal is restricted to preset times of use and, if so, means for selectively enabling the vehicle ignition only during said preset time periods.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said comparing means comprises means for periodically comparing said physiological identification signals with said stored physiological identification data during operation of the vehicle.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 and comprising means for activating a signaling means prior to each activation of said periodic comparing means.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 and comprising means responsive to a predetermined signal from said periodic comparing means for disabling the vehicle ignition system after a predetermined time period.

8. The invention as defined in claim 6 and comprising means for activating an alarm signal at the beginning of said predetermined time period.

9. The invention as defined in claim 5 and comprising a driver'"'"'s license having data representative of a physiological identification of a driver, and means for reading and storing said driver license data as said stored physiological identification data.

10. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said physiological identification member is a fingerprint.

11. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said physiological identification member is an eyeball part.

12. For use with an automotive vehicle having a normally disabled ignition system, a system for selectively enabling said ignition system comprising:

means for reading a person'"'"'s preselect physiological identification member and for generating a physiological identification signal representative thereof,

memory means for storing physiological identification data representative of authorized drivers for the vehicle,

means for comparing said physiological identification signal with said stored physiological identification data in said memory means, and

means for enabling the vehicle ignition system when said physiological identification signal corresponds to said stored physiological identification data wherein said comparing means comprises means for periodically comparing said physiological identification signals with said stored physiological identification data during operation of the vehicle.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said comparing means comprises a microprocessor.

14. The invention as defined in claim 12 and comprising means for determining if operation of the vehicle corresponding to said physiological identification signal is restricted to preset times of use and, if so, means for selectively enabling the vehicle ignition system only during said preset time periods.

15. The invention as defined in claim 12 and comprising means for activating a signaling means prior to each activation of said periodic comparing means.

16. The invention as defined in claim 15 and comprising means responsive to a predetermined signal from said periodic comparing means for disabling the vehicle ignition system after a predetermined time period.

17. The invention as defined in claim 16 and comprising means for activating an alarm signal at the beginning of said predetermined time period.

18. The invention as defined in claim 12 and comprising a driver'"'"'s license having data representative of a physiological identification of a driver, and means for reading and storing said driver license data as said stored physiological identification data.

19. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said physiological identification member is a fingerprint.

20. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said physiological identification member is an eyeball part.

21. For use with an automotive vehicle having a normally disabled ignition system, a system for selectively enabling said ignition system comprising:

means for reading a person'"'"'s preselect physiological identification member and for generating a physiological identification signal representative thereof,

memory means for storing physiological identification data representative of authorized drivers for the vehicle,

means for comparing said physiological identification signal with said stored physiological identification data in said memory means, and

means for enabling the vehicle ignition system when said physiological identification signal corresponds to said stored physiological identification data, and

means for determining if said physiological identification signal is restricted to preset times of use and, if so, means for selectively enabling the vehicle ignition only during said preset time periods.

22. The invention as defined in claim 21 wherein said comparing means comprises a microprocessor.

23. The invention as defined in claim 21 wherein said comparing means comprises means for periodically comparing said physiological identification signals with said stored physiological identification data during operation of the vehicle and means for activating a signaling means prior to each activation of said periodic comparing means.

24. The invention as defined in claim 23 and comprising means responsive to a predetermined signal from said periodic comparing means for disabling the vehicle ignition system after a predetermined time period.

25. The invention as defined in claim 23 and comprising means for activating an alarm signal at the beginning of said predetermined time period.

26. The invention as defined in claim 23 and comprising a driver'"'"'s license having data representative of a physiological identification of a driver, and means for reading and storing said driver license data as said stored physiological identification data.

27. The invention as defined in claim 21 wherein said physiological identification member is a fingerprint.

28. The invention as defined in claim 21 wherein said physiological identification member is an eyeball part.